January 23, 2025 – The City of Houston will close eight warming centers at noon on Thursday, January 23. However, the Fonde and the Metropolitan Multiservice Center locations will remain open for an additional night due to the forecast for below-freezing temperatures.  

Upon departure, each person will receive a support bag containing Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), socks, and social services information. 

To support those in need of transportation, METRO will provide vouchers onsite, while zTrip will offer rides to help individuals return to their home, a shelter, or other destinations within the city.  

As of 10 a.m. on Thursday, METRO started offering transportation to individuals staying at the Fonde and Metropolitan warming centers to the Beacon, a non-profit organization that serves unhoused individuals.  

Since opening at 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, the warming centers have provided water, snacks, meals, and refuge from the bitter cold for an estimated 1,300 people nightly. These warming centers served as life-saving resources for some individuals during the most frigid part of the storm, when temperatures plunged into the teens and low 20s. 

“I want to thank the Office of Emergency Management, the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security, the Houston Health Department, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, and all other staff and partners who worked to operate the warming centers. We came together as a city to assist our most vulnerable citizens. Houston showed how well we plan and execute in response to a major weather event,” said Mayor John Whitmire. 

Brian Mason, Director of the Office of Emergency Management, said the city will officially end its arctic blast activation on Thursday, January 23.  “Everyone poured their heart, talent and expertise into preparing the city over the last week. We have a great team, and this experience will help us better prepare for the next emergency.”